Flying

Five and eight may be small numbers, but Airbus is betting they’ll represent a big difference for its new A350-900 XWB (extra wide body). The model is five inches wider and, claims the manufacturer, 8 percent more fuel-efficient than Boeing’s 787, with which it will compete in the long-haul, twinjet market. In 2018, Airbus expects to introduce a stretched version of the aircraft, the A350-1000, to go head-to-head with Boeing’s even larger 777 twinjet.

As soon as its first owner departs from the manufacturer’s delivery center, a new airplane technically becomes used (or preowned). For various reasons, however, 10 years after an aircraft’s final production date is generally considered the milestone separating “newer” used business aircraft from “older” ones.

As soon as its first owner departs from the manufacturer’s delivery center, a new airplane technically becomes used (or preowned). For various reasons, however, 10 years after an aircraft’s final production date is generally considered the milestone separating “newer” used business aircraft from “older” ones.

Since Gulfstream introduced the G550 in 2003, it has sold close to 500 of them for two big reasons: range and cabin comfort. Although the larger, faster and slightly longer-legged G650 has replaced the G550 as the manufacturer’s flagship in recent years, the earlier aircraft remains in production and popular.

If you updated your cabin electronics more than a few weeks ago, it's probably already on the way to becoming outdated. That's how fast the technology is changing. For the latest in cabin-management systems, Internet connectivity and more, consult the manufacturers in this directory.

January 1, 2020—that’s the deadline set by the U.S. FAA for most aircraft to be equipped with position-locating equipment known as ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast Out). ADS-B lets an aircraft determine its position using GPS signals, then broadcasts this data periodically to air traffic control.

Delta Air Lines has taken significant steps toward introducing its elite airline fliers to the convenience and privacy of business jets. The carrier will now offer a business jet upgrade program for its “Medallion” frequent fliers (those who fly more than 25,000 miles annually on the airline).

My friend Hugh has a highly developed scientific mind, and when he sees something about aviation that piques his interest, he often calls me for details. One question—“How fast is it?”—seems as if it ought to be pretty simple, but my answers often leave him frustrated. How can speed be so complicated?

Quote/Unquote

““The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death.”
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